Cotton-seed delinter



4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J. J. PAULKNER. GOTTON SEED DELINTER.

Patented Sept. 10, 1895.

a'v vvewfoz James J FquZRner attozmelf (N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. "J. PA ULKNER. COTTON SEED DELINTER.

No. 546,272. Patented Sept. 10, 1895,

IKNEW LGIAIIAM'. HW'UIHONMSKINGTOMQC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. FAULKNER, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO THE STANDARD COTTON SEED COMPANY, OF

ARKANSAS.

COTTON-SEED DELINTER,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,272, datedSeptember 10, 1895.

Application filed June 4, 1895 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jmuns J. FAULKNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Ten- 5 nessee,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-SeedDelinters; and

I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for treatingcotton-seed, and particularly to improvements in that class thereofknown as delinters; and it consists in an r improved cotton-seeddelinter whose construction and arrangement of parts will be hereinafterdescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

The removal of lint separated by the action of cotton-seed delinters hasusually been effected either through an opening in the casing for thedebuting-cylinder or by making such casing perforated over its entirecircumfer-' ence. Theoretically, as well as practically,

however, it is best to remove the lint from the seed through whatcorresponds in the usual construction to the delinting-cylinderitselfthat is to say, it is best to remove the lint from the innersurface of the roll which the seed forms in a cotton-seed delinter as aconsequence of its centrifugal motion, as the seed, being the heavierbody, naturally seeks the outside of such roll, while the lint remainson the inside surface of the same. The object of my present invention isto provide a construction whereby the lint separated by the action ofthe delinter may be removed interiorly through a central perforatedcylinder instead of exteriorly through a casing, as has heretofore beendone. This object can be accomplished in two different ways, both ofwhich are embodied in the machine which forms the subject of thisapplication: First, the lint can be removed by making theabrading-surface of the delinting-cylinder the inner surface of the sameand arranging a cylinder interiorly of the debuting-cylinder, suchcylinder being so formed as to permit the lint to be withdrawntherethrough, and serving the purpose of keeping the seed undertreatment Serial No. 551,627. (No model.)

in contact with the abrading-surface; second, by making the periphery ofthe delinting-cylinder perforated and providing an interior aircurrentwhereby the lint can be drawn through the surface of thedelinting-cylinder itself. In my present machine I make the interiorsurface of the delinting-cylinder the abrading-surface and supportinside of the same a cylinder, which cylinder may simply perform theordinary object of a casingthat is, may simply prevent the seed fromfalling out of the range of action of the delinting-cylinder-or mayitself be provided with an abrading surface, so as to form an additionaldelinting-surface, and may be given a motion independent of and oppositeto the motion of the outside cylinder. In my present machine I also makeuse of an upward feed and of an interior supply-pipe, transferring theseed to be treated from the supply-pipe to the abrading-surfaces byasuitably-mounted sweep and feeding the seed downward to the action ofthe sweep by a spiral stationed in the supply-pipe. To facilitate theforward passage of the seed, I form the lower portion of thedelinting-cylinder and that of the cylinder mounted interiorly t-hereofwith inwardly-inclined sides, and to provide forthe escape of the dirtand dust which naturally are present with the seed as it is fed into themachine I make the bottom of the delinting-cylinder perforated, so thatthe seed as it is fed from the supply-pipe to the abrad ing-surfacespasses over a perforated surface and is freed from the dirt andimpurities there present.

My invention is fully represented in the drawings which accompany andform a part of this application, in which the same reference letters andnumerals refer to the same or corresponding parts, and in which Figure lis a section of my machine, showing the construction of the partsthereof and the relation they bear to each other; and Fig. 2 is asimilar View of a modified form thereof.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the 5 machine-frame, in which issupported in suitable bearings the upright shaft 2, which has secured toits upper end the delinting-cylinder A. As this cylinder is subjected toconsiderable strain in the action of the machine, 1 I00 sometimesprovide antifrictionwheels 3, mountedon the machine-frame and bearingagainst the outer surface of the delinting-cylinder in order to steadythe same. The cylinder B is supported interiorly of thedelinting-cylinder partly by supports 4, extending downward from the topof the frame, and partly by the feed-pipe O, which is supported in themachine-frame, extends centrally through said casing, and opens at thebottom thereof into the space between the delintingcylinder and saidinterior cylinder. The cylinder serves the purpose of keeping the seedunder treatment in contact with the abrading-surface. It performs thesame function as the ordinary delinting-cylindcr casing, and, like suchcasings, is covered with a coating of emery.

The delinting-cylinder is preferably somewhat cup-shaped, as shown inthe drawings. Its inner surface is lined with abrading material, such asemery, corundum, or black diamond. Abradingblocks D may be used or thescouring-surface may be formed in any other suitable manner. The bottomof the delinting-cylinder is formed with perforations E, through whichdirt and impurities may pass as the seed is transferred by the spiral Fdownward and the sweep G outward to a point where it is exposed to thescouring ac tion of the abrading-surfaces. During this passage it mustgo over the perforated bottom E of the cylinder, and the'dirt andimpurities will be sifted out therefrom. The lower portion of thedelinting-cyliuder is inwardly inclined, as shown at H, in order toassist the seed in its upward movement and in order to prevent anyblocking of seed at this point. The abrading action takes place betweenthe abradingsurface ofthedelinting-cylinderand the abrading-surface ofthe cylinder 13. This cylinderis perforated to permit the removal of thelint separated by the action of the machine therethrough, and ispreferably formed with a smooth emeried surface. The metal forming thesame is made thicker than the length of the fiber to be removed from theseed in order to prevent such fiber wrapping around adjacent openingsand obstructing the lintoutlet. The coverI is provided for the innercylinder, and an air-flume J leads therefrom;

but any other construction may be used, if

desired. The discharge of the seed is effected through discharge-spoutsL, stationed at the top of the delinting-cylinder, theinwardlyprojecting flange M regulating and controlling such discharge inconnection with the valves Z, which operate to close thedischarge-outlets. In the construction thus shown the delintingcylinderis the only revolving surface. In Fig. 2 I have, however, shown aconstruction where the inner cylinder may also be revolu ble, ifdesired, and may move in any desired relation of direction or speed tothe revolution of the exterior cylinder, or may itself be rotated andthe exterior cylinder remain stationary. When so actuated the interiorcylinder performs the function of a delintingcylinder and the outercylinder that of the casing therefor. As shown in this figure, the

feed-pipe O is mounted in suitable bearings in the frame and is steppedin such a manner as to enable it to remain in proper position,

such pipe forming in effect a powenshaft, which may be given any desiredrotation by the power-wheel keyed thereto. In this construction I havealso shown perforations N in the delinting-cylinderA and aneXhaust-fluine O, by means of which lint may be removed from suchdelinting-cylinder exteriorly as well as interiorly through theperforations formed in the inner cylinder. In this construction I mayalso use a brush P, mounted loosely on the feed-pipe O and acting tofree the inner surface of the inner cylinder from lint.

The operation of my machine is as follows: Seed is fed into the machinethrough the feedpipe 0, which forms in effect a stand-pipe to regulateand control the operation of the machine. In order to insure the properaction of arnachine of this character, it is necessary to provide apositive feed for the seed to the abrading-surfaces, and the spiral Fand sweep G serve, therefore, to positively feed the seed outward to theaction of the abrading-surfaces. As soon as the seed reaches theinclined portion H of the delinting-cylinder, it begins to climb up thesame, owing to the centrifugal motion which is imparted to it, and israpidly cleaned and scoured by the abrading action to which it is thussubjected. The dirt and impurities are removed from the seed during itspassage over the perforated bottom E of the delinting-cylinder. The lintis removed therefrom by the interior air-current through theperforations in the inner cylinder, either alone or in connection withthe exterior air-current, which acts to' draw the lint through theperforations in the delinting-cyiinder itself. Owing to the centrifugalmotion of the seed, the lint, which is lighter than the seed, lies onthe inner surface of the roll of seed formed by the action of themachine, and thus is more subject to the inner draft through thedelinting-cylinder. A very perfect and complete separation of the lintfrom the seed is afforded and the quality of lint obtained is very good.The seed-discharge takes place through the discharge-spouts L, regulatedby valves Z and flange M, as the running conditions of the machinedemand.

I do not herein claim the use of a stand-pipe to govern and control thecondition of the seed under treatment, as that is claimed in a companionapplication filed by me on May 4, 1805, Serial No. 548,146; nor do Iclaim the means shown for freeing the inner surface of the innercylinder from lint, as that is the subject of claim in an applicationfiled by me June 3, 1895, Serial No. 551,558.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cotton seed delinter, the combination with a vertically arrangeddelinting cylinder having abrading material secured to its innersurface, means for-rotating the same, and means for preventing the seedunder treatment falling out of the range of action thereof, of a feedpipe extending down through the center of the cylinder to the lower endthereof, means for transferring the seed from said pipe to the abradingsurface, means for removing the lint separated by the action of themachine, and a seed discharge outlet, substantially as described.

2. In a cotton seed delinter, the combination with a vertically arrangeddelinting cylinder having abrading material secured to its innersurface, an inner cylinder for prevent- 20' ing the seed under treatmentfalling out of the range of action thereof, and means for giving one ofsaid cylinders motion relative to the other, of a feed pipe extendingdownward through the center of the inner cylinder, means fortransferring the seed from said pipe to the abrading surface, means forremoving the lint separated by the action of the machine, and a seeddischarge outlet, substantially as described.

3. In a cotton seed delinter, the combination with a vertically arrangeddelinting cylinder having abrading material secured to its innersurface, and having aclosed bottom, an inner cylinder for keeping theseed under treatment from falling out of the range of action thereof,and means for giving one of said cylinders motion relative to the other,of a feed pipe extending downward through the center of the innercylinder, means for transferring seed from said pipe to the abradin gsurface, means for removing the lint separated by the action of themachine, and a seed discharge outlet, substantially as described.

4. In a cotton seed delinter, the combination with a vertically arrangeddelinting cylinder having abrading material secured to its innersurface, and having a closed perforated bottom, an inner cylinder forkeeping the seed under treatment from falling out of the range of actionthereof, and means for giving one of said cylinders motion relative tothe other, of a feed pipe extending downward through the center of theinner cylinder, means for transferring seed from said pipe to theabrading surface, means for removing the lint separated by the action ofthe machine, and a seed discharge outlet, substantially as described.

5. In a cotton seed delinter, the combination with a vertically arrangeddelinting cylinder, having abrading material secured to its innersurface, the lower end of said cylinder being bent inwardly, an innercylinder also having its lower end bent inwardly for preventing the seedfalling out of the range of action thereof, and means for giving one ofsaid cylinders motion relative to the other, of

a feed pipe extending downward through the downward through the centerof the inner cylinder, means for transferring the seed from said pipe tothe abrading surface, means for causing an air current to sweep over theinner surface of the inner cylinder, and a seed discharge outlet,substantially as described.

7. In a cotton seed delinter, the combination with a vertically arrangeddelinting cylinder having abrading material secured to its innersurface, and having a closed perforated bottom, an inner perforatedcylinder for preventing the seed nnder treatment falling out of therange of action thereof, and means for giving one of said cylindersmotion relative to the other, of a feed pipe extending downward throughthe center of the inner cylinder, means for transferring seed from saidpipe to the abrading surface, means for causing an air current to sweepover the inner surface of the inner cylinder, and a seed dischargeoutlet stationed at the top of the delinting cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES J. FAULKNER.

Witnesses:

0. L. BERLIN, JOHN HALLUM.

